Starting Solids

Updated: September 9, 2010

Hi, I'm Heidi Murkoff author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. Are you wondering when your baby will be ready for solids? If your little one is 4 to 6 months old, check with the doctor. It may be time for baby to open wide for those first bites.

As momentous as those early meals will be, keep in mind that they're more about gaining experience with new flavors and textures — and learning how to eat. They won't replace the breast or bottle, which will still provide most of your baby’s nutrition for months to come.

For that very first feeding, timing is everything. Don’t debut the solids when your baby is cranky or tired. Wait until she's happy and alert. And make sure she’s not too hungry and not too stuffed. Between meals is best, or after a brief feed.

Start off with just a dab of food. She’ll probably be pretty surprised by the texture and taste of solids. And she’ll probably take a while to get the hang of swallowing them, too. More may end up coming out of her mouth than staying in.

What’s first on baby's menu? You may have heard that many parents use rice cereal as the first food. And that’s a good one. But the American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends a specific first food. Ask the doctor what you should offer your baby first.

No matter what you serve up for starters — rice cereal, sweet potato, or applesauce — make sure it's got a smooth, not-too-thick texture. You can thin it out with breastmilk or formula.

Once your baby's lapping up that first food, you can expand her menu. But do it slowly — and with her doctor’s recommendations. Introduce each new food by itself. Then wait a few days before introducing the next. If your baby has an allergic reaction to something, you don’t want to have to guess which food caused it.

As you're adding to the menu, mix things up, too. Some peas with that sweet potato. Some banana with that cereal. And don’t assume your baby will only eat what’s sweet or what’s meal appropriate. It’s fine to serve green beans for breakfast, or cereal for dinner.

Beginning eating is all about the experience. Getting to love food is getting to know it — and babies get to know their food by making a mess. Don’t stress about the mess — let your baby enjoy her food her way.

Most important: Let your little diner give the orders at mealtime. If she closes her mouth or turns her head, don’t plead or push. Just matter-of-factly end the meal. Even if no food was actually consumed.

I’m Heidi Murkoff and that’s what to expect. For this and other baby and toddler information, visit What to Expect.